Party Appetizers For Every Age

• When it’s time to snack, these ideas are perfect for a midday pickup, after-school treats and other occasions.

• When it’s time to snack, many of us reach for the same old foods, like chips, cookies and pretzels. Instead of these boring old snacks day in and day out, a few ingredients can be added to traditional snack foods to take them from boring to extraordinary. These ideas are perfect for a midday pickup, after-school treats and other occasions.

  ADD SOME SPICE TO YOUR POPCORN

  Popcorn is a wonderful snack to enjoy while watching TV shows and movies or doing homework, or even to munch on while at work. However, eating the same plain or buttered popcorn each day can become boring, so add a little spice to make this snack more delicious and unique.

  Some spices that go perfectly with popcorn include garlic salt, Dash™ Spicy Jalapeño Seasoning Blend and even brown sugar. These spices and more can add great flavor to plain popcorn. Seasonings and spices can be mixed and matched to create new favorite flavors for this delicious snack food, or use prepared seasoning blends like those offered by Dash. Either option can take your food from boring to fantastic in just minutes.

  DELICIOUS DIPS

  Whether you’re eating chips, crackers or veggies, hearty and delicious dips turn a boring snack into a tasty treat. There are a variety of different dips that can easily be created at home. For tortilla chips, homemade salsa, guacamole and bean dip are excellent choices. These can be made at home using fresh veggies and delicious spices.

  For pita bread and crackers, hummus is a delightful option that makes a snack even more filling. Cheese dips, spinach dips and ranch dips are also great with chips, veggies and other snack choices.

  TRAIL MIX

  Trail mix isn’t just for hikers; it also makes a wonderful snack any time of day. Instead of just eating a handful of pretzels, why not kick it up a notch by making homemade trail mix? Trail mix can be customized with a variety of ingredients and appetizing spices. An easy trail mix that adults and children will enjoy includes pretzels, raisins, granola, nuts and freeze-dried fruit. Spices like cinnamon, sugar, brown sugar and salt can also be added to make the trail mix more flavorful.

  HOMEMADE BAKED POTATO CHIPS

  Instead of eating plain old processed potato chips, why not make some at home? To make your own potato chips from scratch, simply slice potatoes into thin pieces and bake. Once the chips have been cooked until crispy, spices and flavoring can be added to give them a more personalized taste. Good choices include olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, cheddar powder and garlic salt. These chips are tasty, easy to make and very filling when eaten as a snack.